The forces initiated a search and came across the bag the man had abandoned. Inside it, they found a powerful explosive device.

Sappers detonated the device to dispose of it.

The
IDF said the incident was a reminder that smuggling routes are
constantly being exploited by terrorist organizations working to carry
out attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers. Alertness by
soldiers and successful operations are responsible for preventing
terror attacks against Israel and its citizens, the IDF said.

An IDF officer said the explosive device military and police forces
found Tuesday morning near the Egyptian-Israeli border had the
potential to cause a large number of casualties, Israel Radio reported
Tuesday afternoon.

The executive officer of Yahalom - a special elite combat engineering unit -
said the cargo contained spray pellets and remote detonation devices
controlled via mobile phones, according to Israel Radio. He added that
it was unclear whether the terrorists who placed the bomb intended to
use it against IDF soldiers along the border, or whether they intended
to use it in another location.

Security forces have long been concerned that as Egyptian
control over the Sinai Peninsula erodes, Jihadi elements will take
advantage of smuggling routes used by drug runners and other criminals.

The military views the latest attempted bombing as such a case.

The authorities believe the intended target was IDF forces that patrol the southern border.